Thermoplastic gel sealants

Abstract

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are thermoplastic gel compositions that include a block copolymer; a hydrocarbon tackifier resin; and a hydrocarbon oil. Further, in some embodiments, such compositions may include at least one antioxidant. Also provided are connectors that include a composition according to an embodiment of the invention.

I claim: 
     
       1. A thermoplastic gel comprising:
 3 to 18 weight percent of at least one block copolymer comprising 
 at least one diblock copolymer that comprises polystyrene and a saturated hydrocarbon polymer; and 
 at least one triblock copolymer that comprises polystyrene and a saturated hydrocarbon polymer, wherein the ratio of the at least one diblock copolymer to the at least one triblock copolymer is 7.6:1; 
 2 to 15 weight percent of a hydrocarbon tackifier resin having a melting point of greater than 40° C.; 
 75 to 95 weight percent of a hydrocarbon oil; 
 at least one antioxidant; and 
 an antimicrobial agent, 
 wherein the gel exhibits an antioxidant bloom on the surface of the gel within 30 days at room temperature. 
 
     
     
       2. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon oil is a paraffinic oil having a flash point in a range of 400° F. to 550° F. 
     
     
       3. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant comprises a hindered phenol. 
     
     
       4. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant is present in the thermoplastic gel at a concentration in a range of about 0.3 to about 5 weight percent. 
     
     
       5. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant forms a bloom on the surface of the gel within 24 hours after aging at 60° C. 
     
     
       6. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic gel has a tack in a range of 3 to 25 g, as measured by the force required to remove 6.35 mm steel ball from a 4 mm depth in the gel at a rate of 2 mm/s. 
     
     
       7. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional additive selected from the group consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a light stabilizer, a heat stabilizer, a pigment and a thickening agent. 
     
     
       8. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the cone penetration of the thermoplastic gel is in a range of 225 to about 325, as determined by ASTM D217. 
     
     
       9. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is a fungicide. 
     
     
       10. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 9 , wherein the fungicide is thiabendazole. 
     
     
       11. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon tackifier resin has a melting point of greater than 90° C. 
     
     
       12. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one triblock copolymer is present at 1 wt %. 
     
     
       13. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 6 , wherein the thermoplastic gel has a tack in a range of 11 to 15 g, as measured by the force required to remove 6.35 mm steel ball from a 4 mm depth in the gel at a rate of 2 mm/s. 
     
     
       14. The thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one diblock copolymer is present at 7.6 wt %. 
     
     
       15. A connector that comprises the thermoplastic gel of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       16. The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the connector is a coax connector, data connector, telecommunications cable and/or an electrical connector.